PEÑUELAS, Puerto Rico -- A week before this U.S. territory votes in the Democratic primary, Sen. Hillary Clinton said today she would work to resolve the debate that has paralyzed island politics for generations -- during her first term in the White House.

"I will as your president on day one work with all of the factions here in Puerto Rico and with the Congress to enable you to determine your status by majority vote among all of the options that are available," she told several dozen supporters in this southern town on the Caribbean Sea. "I wish to get this accomplished within the first four years of my term."

Resolving the political status of this island of 4 million would be an ambitious goal. Islanders have long been split between statehood and the status quo; unless a clear majority emerges for change, Washington is unlikely to reconsider the current relationship.

Clinton, like Sen. Barack Obama, has been careful to avoid choosing sides in the status debate. Like other American politicians, they say they would support whatever option a clear majority of Puerto Ricans chooses.

During her first visit of the presidential campaign -- she stopped in the western town of Aguadilla on Saturday, and makes a couple of appearances in San Juan tonight -- Clinton highlighted her experience with Puerto Rico.

"I have been privileged to work in ways to help you since I was first lady, when I worked to make sure that Puerto Rico was included in certain health programs of the federal government and came here personally to determine what needed to be done to help you recover from Hurricane Georges," she said.

"In 2001, I took a strong stand to persuade the federal government to leave Vieques, to turn the land over to the people of Vieques and Puerto Rico," she said, referring to the Puerto Rican island long used by the Navy for bombing practice. "And I'm very proud as a senator from New York to represent one million Puerto Ricans living in New York.

"I feel as though I have been your senator. Now I want to be your president."

Comments

is there anything she wont use to pander votes if she s such a fighter how come when she was in charge of getting it for us the fight lasted 2 week s

This coming from a woman who despises Puerto Ricans in New York? She has done absolutely nothing for the people of Puerto Rico that reside in New York. Be careful, she is about empty promises, lies, and deception.

HILLARY, I AND MY WIFE WERE SO TOUCHED OF YOUR HONEST, SINCERE COMMITMENT TO STAND BY US.. WE KNOW IN OUR HEARTS YOUR RIVAL AND HIS PARTY, THESE PEOPLE ARE BEHIND EXPLOITING YOUR INTERVIEW WITH ARGUS LEADER EDITORIAL BOARD AND HOW THE MEDIA WHO ARE OBVIOUS PRO-OBAMA ARE PUSHING YOU TO QUIT...

HOW THESE PEOPLE LOOK SO LITTLE AND WITH OUR STRONG FAITH, YOUR RIVAL WILL GET HIS OWN DOSE OF MEDICINE LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE...

WE ARE STILL WONDERING WHERE YOUR RIVAL IS GETTING HIS CAMPAIGN MONEY ..LET WE HEAR IT-MOSTLY OVERSEAS AND BUSINESS CONNECTIONS!

IS THE MEDIA INTENTIONALLY BLINDING THEMSELVES AND EVEN THOSE PLEDGING TO YOUR RIVAL WHY IN ILLINOIS, ALL HIS TERRORIST ASSOCIATES LIVE THERE NOT TO MENTION HIMSELF?

NOW, WHO IS DISHONEST, UNPATRIOTIC, OLD POLITICS BENEFITING FROM LOBBYISTS?

OBVIOUS FOR TED KENNEDY TO MOLD OBAMA BECAUSE HE CAN'T SWALLOW ALONG WITH KERRY, DODD, ETC. THAT WOMAN HAS TOUCHED THEIR EGOS AND STILL STANDING AND FIGHTING FOR THE NOMINATION ...BECAUSE HILLARY IS NOT A QUITTER!!! A TRUE BLOOD AMERICAN!!!!
SUPERDELEGATES, HERE IS HILALRY WHO IS TESTED WITH ALL ODDS AND WHO IS ALL OUT TO GIVE HER LIFE TO US..TO AMERICA!!! WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR?

Viequez could have ended IMMEDIATELY, yet mz clintons hubby decided to have janet reno send in the marines, to bulldoze a church, & shoot the priest! & then she wonders why good catholics wont flock to her campaign......

Puerto Ricans, she needs you, just like she once needed African Americans. But when we were no longer convenient (in this election), she cast us off, like she will do to you when the time comes. She told the whole country that she is for WHITE WORKING AMERICANS. And you need to believe that!!!

You can bombard forums with your messages of hate towards Mrs. Clinton, it only makes me realize that Obama's "change" is African-Americans attacking Puerto Ricans with their selfish ideas. Vieques bombing was stopped because of her intervention, but all you care about are issues that face only black Americans. She is our friend and that is that. That's great that you NOW see Obama as your candidate of hope. You weren't seeing that before. I can clearly see how you found every reason to nitpick on someone you used to care about. Maybe African-Americans really are suckers to buy into a man who is not even African-American, nor does he care about your issues. Tavis invited him a year before and he sends a letter after PROMISING to attend only to pull a no-show. Yes, he cares about you alright. African-Americans seem to be just divisive. They attack those who think differently from them with viciousness. Thanks for showing your true colors, my friends. I am not a fan of this "change" he is talking about. We don't dis people who have been there for us like two-faced ex-Hillary supporters. Now that I see what these people's intentions are, it's McCain for me this November. I can wait 4 more years for "change". My family of 6 will be giving our vote to McCain.

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